Yale Beats Cornell, Falls to Princeton and Pennsylvania

Feb 22, 2009

Feb. 22, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -
Part II of the Ivy League Fencing Round-Robins (formerly known as the "North" Championship) took place today at the Joseph Olney-Moe Margolies Athletic Center on the campus of Brown University in Providence, R.I. Yale's fencers came away with a win against Cornell, but fell to Princeton and Pennsylvania.

"We were very excited to defeat Cornell this year," said sabreist Katherine Arden.

"This year we came 5th in the Ivy League, which was an improvement from last year. Princeton was a close match, and we were disappointed that we couldn't win a couple more bouts," she added. Last year, the Bulldogs finished in last place with a 0-6 Ivy record.

"I am very proud of the team spirit we demonstrated today," added captain Lidia Gocheva.

Yale's first fencing in Providence was a hard-fought battle with Princeton. The sabre squad won 5-4. The opponents of Farrah Kimovec struggled to hit her as she kept good distance and took sweeping parries to the head. She ended up winning two of her three bouts. The foil squad fought valiantly against tough Princeton fencers, and was able to pick up two victories. After a disappointing weapon malfunction cost her her first bout, Rebecca Moss defeated two opponents in the epee. The epee squad lost to Princeton 5-4.

The sabre squad did particularly well against Cornell, not only individually but as a unit. Jennifer Ivers went undefeated due to her excellent timing and command of her opponent's blade. The squad lost its first two bouts, but then was able to give each other the advice needed to win the next seven bouts in a row.